As teams look to the future of MotoGP racing, the rumors are beginning to fly on how the newly revised rules will affect the competitive landscape in the race series. With news already surrounding what opportunities exist for private teams, we focus now on the factory efforts. Making it clear recently that the Bologna factory is not convinced that 1000cc is the optimal displacement with the current fuel restrictions, Ducati’s Filippo Preziosi has hinted that Ducati is considering a 900cc or 930cc displacement for the 2012 race season.

As you may already know, the rules in MotoGP are set to change in 2012. With displacements of up to 1000cc’s allowed, the big concern for teams would be the added minimum weight of bikes larger than 800cc, and the fuel considerations (the latter being the bigger issue). With claiming rule teams getting an added 24L of fuel in the formula, efforts like Suter’s could be competitive out of the box.

Of course that’s not going to happen if Ducati has anything to say about it, as the Italian team is already weighing its options. Talking to SPEED, Filippo Preziosi said that Ducati is not entirely sure that running a 1000cc machine is the best option in the paddock.

“We have started the conceptual design to define the best displacement for power delivery and fuel consumption, we are concentrating on this,” said Preziosi. “It is not clear that 1,000cc is the best, there is a compromise. A 900cc is very possible, maybe even a 930. And perhaps the displacement will change year-by-year depending on development. Once we have made the final decision I expect a prototype of the new bike to be ready for testing in mid-2011.”

Ducati is expected to finalize it’s plans in the latter-half of this year, which will see them pick a configuration and begin developing it.

Bring back the 500’s?! Until they can find enough manufacturers who actually even want to build those again, that is never going to happen. Ever.

Dr. Gellar

The 1,000cc rules may not be perfect (I don’t think they are even officially finalized yet), but they are a step in the right direction. The MotoGP class BADLY needs more competitors on the grid, and the fact the Aprilia and BMW appear to be interested is in every way a good thing.

Personally I’m OK with the 1,000cc/81mm bore/4-cylinder max basic plan, as long as everyone is playing by these rules. There was talk earlier of Honda and Yamaha wanting to continue on with their 800cc bikes into 2012 and beyond. As long as their current machines fit the 2012 criteria, then fine. But if they don’t (particularly regarding the 81mm max bore), they should not be legal to compete. No special leeway should be given.

It will be very interesting to see what Ducati ultimately decide to do, and if others end up choosing to go the “less than 1,000cc” route in an attempt to maximize performance.

Peter

I don’t care what happens as long as the result is the bikes are faster, and more exciting than WSBK. After all, this IS MotoGP.